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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Commerce: Information Technology Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
87346  Master of Commerce: Information Technology Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

This qualification aims to develop, at advanced (executive) level, learner competence in mastering, analysing, interpreting and understanding Information Technology (IT) Management principles and methods. Through a Master's dissertation, the learner will show evidence of scientific research and the ability to reflect thereon in the holistic context of IT Management. The programme will assist in the continuing professional development of experienced senior managers and leaders. The qualification will further promote the development of Information Technology Management skills for learners both locally and internationally.

On completion of the programme, learners will be able to:
  • Access, analyse, organise and critically evaluate existing knowledge.
  • Engage in independent research and produce findings in the form of a research report from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies in the chosen focus area.
  • Critically analyse and evaluate the outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in the chosen field.
  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of own position in relation to major debates within the chosen field.

    Rationale:

    This qualification is aimed at developing learners with high potential to pursue innovative managerial, technical and leadership practices suited to a dynamic business environment. The qualification forms part of the learning pathway in Information Technology Management. The intention is to equip learners with necessary knowledge, technical and leadership skills in the context of which they function. This Degree aims at training and educating researchers in the field of IT Management who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. In this way, learners will be prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment. This Degree further provides a direct path to an appropriate Doctor of Philosophy: Information Technology Management with the requisite level of research and serves the needs of learners who aspire to move into leadership positions in the IT Management field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Knowledge of Information Technology Management at NQF Level 8.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The learner must be in possession of:
  • A relevant Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Information Technology Management with a minimum of 60% average at NQF Level 8.
  • An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma in the field of Information Technology Management (with a research component).
  • Any appropriate Honours Degree for which Recognition of Prior Learning may be applied.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied according to National and UJ policies.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
  • Grant access to learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
  • Grant learners credits towards the achievement of the qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan and implement an agreed research programme.

    2. Present research in the form of a dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A research proposal is developed, based on the course content and completed within the time stipulated.
  • Appropriate literature is sourced to obtain information relevant to the research and documented.
  • Any required fieldwork and/or laboratory experimentation engaged in is recorded.
  • Documents are prepared for obtaining ethics clearance.
  • Intellectual competence and skill is exhibited in executing the research, using quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods.
  • The concept of plagiarism and the implications thereof are comprehended when applying the conventions of referencing and the norms of academic writing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Participate in research projects and programmes as determined by the supervisor/co-supervisor.
  • At least one manuscript of a research paper is produced in a format that is ready for submission to an accredited research journal.
  • Implications of findings are reflected on and followed upon where possible. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Various Masters' Degrees exist in the field of Computer Science and Informatics. However, few national or international institutions offer a Master's programme in Information Technology Management.

    The following qualifications compare favourably with the Master of Commerce (Information Technology Management) in terms of their content:
  • Master of Science in Information Technology Management, Hong Kong Baptist University.

    This qualification combines both IT and Business in the qualification, but does not include Management:
  • Executive Master in Technology Management, University of Pennsylvania.

    This qualification includes in its core Commerce and IT, which is the fundamental basis of the Master of Commerce (Information Technology Management). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any Master's Degree in Information Technology or a related field at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with any Doctoral Degree in Information Technology or a related field at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Two external examiners are appointed to ensure the quality of the Master of Commerce (Information Technology Management) dissertations and also ensure procedures are externally verified.
  • UJ requires that Examiners should be experienced Assessors with knowledge of the field, in whom other Assessors have confidence and who are experienced Examiners or have undergone training in examinations of dissertations/theses.
  • External examiners are expected to complete a standardised form to assist UJ in compiling an examination report. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Johannesburg 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.